Massachusetts officials are urging residents to ditch their cars for a week and try biking, walking, carpooling and using public transportation instead.

The “car-free week,’’ which begins Sunday, is an effort to raise awareness of the environmental benefits of reducing the number of vehicles on the road. The week coincides with “World Car-Free Day,’’ marked annually on Sept. 22.

“World Car-Free Day’’ began in Europe in 2000 and spread globally. Its backers say there are significant financial, community